Posts by BeautifulMind

23

"I thought About You" Email

by BeautifulMind in

hey everyone!!

i hope everyone is doing good today.

i don't share or comment often, but i'm in the mood to do that today.

I did reply very nicely, but firmly. Of course before I replied, it took me a day to calm down! I was seriously annoyed. But like truthseekeriam said, she thinks she's is doing something good. It was especially difficult to reply because She doesn't even know that I know TTATT. My hubby hasn't told his parents yet, so we are still low key. All she knows is I'm taking a break and analyzing things. Anyway, here is my carefully worded reply - edited of course to remove her name. It's a little long, sorry.

Thank you. I know your email came from a good place and you mean well.

I did consider the information you sent. My situation is completely different than what is described. Nothing happened to stumble me or cause me to be in a state of inactivity. Not one thing. I'm purposely taking the time out to take a long, hard, honest look at the religion and in doing that realized I had some serious thinking to do regarding my beliefs on it. After all, Jehovah did give us free will and I am using that free will to assess my situation. And for me, that requires stepping away from the organization so I can assess it with a clear head. The bible says "the heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate. Who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9). My heart knows that if after my assessment I decide not to start attending meetings again, my friends and family that are witnesses will stop associating with me and that would be so hurtful! My heart would become "desperate" to return to regain that association.

For that reason, I am not trusting my heart. But I instead am using my mind and following the words that we often quote/read to people of other religions out in the ministry. 1 John 4:1 "Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired statement, but test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." Jehovah's Witnesses encourage everyone to examine their religion/beliefs (Public Edition of the Watchtower, July 1, 2013 article "Should You Trust Religion", pg. 3). It would be naïve to think some Jehovah's Witnesses would not apply this to themselves if moved to do so. So for me, I should be able to examine my religion without it being an earth-shattering event. This religion has been my entire life to this point, and you know that. So it's going to take some time to figure things out for myself and that won't happen over night. What I am 100% positive of is only I can determine what I want my relationship to be with God. I've allowed other factors/people to influence my beliefs in the past. That stops now. Ultimately it is my personal decision to make, no one else's.

I haven't heard from her since.....

23

"I thought About You" Email

by BeautifulMind in

hey everyone!!

i hope everyone is doing good today.

i don't share or comment often, but i'm in the mood to do that today.

BeautifulMind

Menrov - it was a daily text. She sent it with the daily text app. I didn't even know they had one of those.

Magnum- you read my mind!!

23

"I thought About You" Email

by BeautifulMind in

hey everyone!!

i hope everyone is doing good today.

i don't share or comment often, but i'm in the mood to do that today.

BeautifulMind

Hey everyone!! I hope everyone is doing good today. I don't share or comment often, but I'm in the mood to do that today. I wanted to share an email I got from my former close friend a couple of weeks ago. I got so excited when I first saw the email title and thought cool, maybe she is coming around to respect my decision to step away from the org. and we can go back to the way things were. I hadn't heard a peep from her since I told her my stance back in September. But of course, that was wishful thinking. Here's the email.

I wanted to share with you some love & Encouragement!!
It is not a desirable thing with my Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish.—Matt. 18:14.
Jehovah cares deeply about all those who have expressed love for his name, even if they are not actively serving him at present. (Luke 15:3-7) Are you among those who are not now actively serving God? Perhaps someone in the congregation hurt you and as a result you stopped associating with Jehovah’s organization. Since some time may have passed, ask yourself: ‘Is my life now more meaningful, and am I happier? Was it Jehovah who offended me, or was it an imperfect human? Has Jehovah God ever done anything to harm me?’ Really, he has always done good toward us. Even if we are not living up to our dedication to him, he allows us to enjoy the good things he provides. (Jas. 1:16, 17) Soon, Jehovah’s day will come. Now is the time to return to our heavenly Father’s loving arms and to the congregation—the only safe haven in these last days.—Deut. 33:27; Heb. 10:24, 25. w13 11/15 2:16, 17

At the end of it she goes on and on for another paragraph about how much she misses me and loves me and hopes I change my thinking and return to Jgod. No how are you and the family, just come back. We talked every day before "the decision" (and yes, I stole that little saying from LeBron lol) and shared many life events together. Yet, she now feels the only way to communicate with me is to send a email with info that doesn't even apply to me asking me to come back to the Hall? Hmmmmmm....... 🤔🤔🤔

19

Disassociation letter

by BeautifulMind in

jw
friends

good evening.

i have a question about where to send my disassociation letter.

do i give a copy to the overseer of the cong i was in and the branch?

BeautifulMind

@FayeDunaway @freddo - I did talk to those I considered myself to be close about a few of the concerns or disagreements I had about the org - and not even the deep stuff. And guess what? They are now actively shunning me. As far as giving a note to everyone I know, that would be a lot of notes 😳, so Im not doing that.

19

Disassociation letter

by BeautifulMind in

jw
friends

good evening.

i have a question about where to send my disassociation letter.

do i give a copy to the overseer of the cong i was in and the branch?

BeautifulMind

Thanks for all of the advice guys! I know, it's the whole play by their rules thing, but that doesn't bother me. I want to be done with this org. with no question that It is my choice - not because I got stumbled, or I'm "spiritually weak", or I'm inactive, or committed a serious sin, etc. And yes, I do "stand against" this org and all of the toxic things they teach and stand for, so I don't feel I lose anything. But I sincerely do appreciate all of your input. And thanks @FayeDunaway 😉

19

Disassociation letter

by BeautifulMind in

jw
friends

good evening.

i have a question about where to send my disassociation letter.

do i give a copy to the overseer of the cong i was in and the branch?

BeautifulMind

Thanks @dubstepped! Yeah, Im ready to cut all ties and walk away.

19

Disassociation letter

by BeautifulMind in

jw
friends

good evening.

i have a question about where to send my disassociation letter.

do i give a copy to the overseer of the cong i was in and the branch?

BeautifulMind

Good evening. I have a question about where to send my disassociation letter. Do I give a copy to the overseer of the cong I was in and the branch? If I do send it to the branch, do I address it to any particular dept. or just send to the Brooklyn address? I appreciate any help you send. Thanks!!

50

Are single sisters happier?

by Esmeralda001 in

this question is for the ladies out there, but if you are a man and you'd like to share your thoughts on the following topic you are welcomed to do so.

given the wt society's view on women, did any of you ladies gave up on the idea of getting married "in the truth".

in such case, did you sometimes feel that you were missing out?

BeautifulMind

I think it depends on if you want to be single or if you are single because you are waiting for Mr. Spiritual. Me personally, I loved being single because I wasn't looking to get married any time soon, I was enjoying traveling and just having a good time in the single life. I dated of course, which was cool. I did know when I was ready I didn't want to marry a holier than thou brother because for 1, I wasn't super spiritual myself. And also through my experience they ended up being jerks and just used their titles to get sisters. So Im fortunate because I ended up meeting a brother who had the same mindset as me and we have great chemistry and a great time with each other. We have been happily married for 11 years now. So yeah, I think it depends on the sister and what she wants. I knew what I wanted and refused to be stuck in a bland, family worship, org-dictated filled marriage. No thanks!

28

Sundays without the indoctrination session...

by Tornintwo in

jw
friends

what are you doing instead of the meeting?.

i'm ordering cool personalised pressies for all of my non jw family online, whilst listening to some great 80's classics (currently fade to grey, visage).

.

BeautifulMind

Im feeling relaxed and hanging up family pictures while my toddlers destroy the place. Its a lovely Sunday!

49

Dont Give Them More Power Than They Deserve

by Tech49 in

jw
friends

a new montra that was recently adopted by the wife and i is this:.

dont give them more power than they deserve.. here's why i say that, and i point this to those of you still in the congregation, still trying to decide what you want to do.. recently, our family had a little family reunion gathering of sorts, and we were in the company of some extended family that were either df or da, to varying degrees.

we made it very clear, to any and all in attendance, that we wanted to be respectful and kind, despite any previous perceptions about our "status".... and that our feelings on a lot of things had "softened", and "changed" over the last 2 years.. i am being purposefully slightly vague, but i think you get the point.

BeautifulMind

Same here. We are giving them absolutely nothing and it freaks them out. It's so sad they have nothing better to do. And I don't remember who said it on this thread, but I agree that this intrusive behavior is not normal, it's creepy actually. We are just trying to live our lives and we are not coming back so buzz off!